Welcome to the 
Association of UMCRM

CAGA Training

  • 21 Sep 2022
  • 11:00 AM
  • 19 Oct 2022
  • 1:00 PM
  • On-line

Registration


Deadline extended! REGISTER by Wednesday, 9/14



Training Part 1: Wednesday, September 21st, 1-3:00 pm ET

Training Part 2: Wednesday, October 19th, 1-3:00 pm ET


The CAGA ("Change, Agent, Gift, and Ask")Storytelling Model for Engagement was developed more than 15 years ago as a repeatable system for engaging constituents and telling powerful impact stories. It was built upon and remains grounded in the goals of being “donor first” while telling the impact made possible by a donor’s generosity. Developed by Mitzie Schafer, CFRE, she has used the model in multiple organizations with great success, and it is now available to other non-profits and congregations as well. Using the CAGA Storytelling Model, giving to Epworth Children's Home in Columbia, SC grew 85% in the first three years. This equaled an additional $1.2 million for mission and impact every year. Giving to NovusWay grew 68% over a 12-month period of time and provided an additional $800,000+ in annual revenue. It isn’t just that we need to tell the organization’s story. We need to tell it in a way that directly connects the donor to the change that happens in the lives of those we serve. We need to create an emotional connection between giving and impact. The CAGA Model does this, clearly and systematically.


Hear from a UM camp & retreat leader who recently participated in this training:

"I first heard about CAGA Stories during Mitzie’s workshop at the 2021 National Gathering. I knew immediately this was something I wanted to pursue because it felt genuine and doable. I loved that it enabled us to share the excitement we see in changed lives here at Pecometh without asking for money. We did Mitzie’s training early this year and immediately put the concepts into practice. Our first newsletter generated more than 5X the cost of the training AND it’s still paying dividends with every quarterly newsletter.”      - Jack Shitama (Pecometh Camp & Retreat Center, MD)


During the CAGA Training, we focus on being “donor first” and telling the story of the impact your work has on the lives of those you serve. There are a number of ways to tell a single story. The CAGA model is designed specifically to increase giving to your work. Mitzie will guide you to telling inspiring stories that donors can’t ignore.


How the Training Works:

  1. The training includes two different virtual workshops scheduled three weeks apart.
  2. The first training lasts from 1.5 hours to 2 hours depending on questions.
  3. During this workshop, we will cover all the foundational principles listed above. Attendees are given the homework of finding, interviewing, and writing 1-3 stories.
  4. During the second training, I edit a couple of the stories live. Students learn how to listen for and capture the emotional connection needed for a successful CAGA story. They learn what content to include or omit.
  5. After their final edits, I review stories and provide a final draft for immediate use in your publications.

    Cost: UMCRM has secured a discounted group rate of $790 per camp/center. Regular full price is $3500(!)  We need 8 participating centers to get this great rate! Registration deadline extended - Register by Wednesday, September 14th.


    Questions? Contact Jessica Gamaché or view this article


    Mitzie Schafer, CFRE, has more than 15 years of experience in non-profit executive leadership and fundraising for faith-based organizations including Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia, SC and the ELCA Foundation. She specializes in helping non-profit organizations implement systematic, best practices, approaches that shift toxic institutional cultures to healthy, thriving ministries. The focus is on storytelling, transparency, human resource management, communication, and accountability. She utilizes these strategies to strengthen relationships with constituents and grow annual fund efforts and planned giving programs. In her first 3 years at Epworth, she implemented a system that grew the annual fund from $1.4 million to $2.6 million. In her last two years at the ELCA Foundation, she helped congregation members take the necessary steps to create charitable estate plans that will gift more than $24 million to churches, church-related non-profits, and other charities. She served a term on the SC Synod Council and has served on the Bishop’s Mutual Ministry Committee for 10 years. Mitzie is an avid quilter, writing her own patterns in Prosperity, SC where she lives with her husband, Pastor Jason, and two high school- aged children, Ella and Micah.


    Questions?  Please contact our Association Registrar

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